Loose-leaf binder



arch Z4, H959 c. J. PAN FIL 2,878,815

LOOSE-LEAF BNDER Filed Aug. 15, 1956 MMX/kfw@ Odtornaqs United zy@States Patent O 2,818,816 LOOSE-LEAF BINDERvv Conrad J. Panfl, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to The Heinn Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wiscon- Application August 13, 1956, Serial No. 603,588

1 Claim. (Cl. 129-24) This invention relates to a loose-leaf binder adapted to hold a substantial number of sheets of paper, or the like, removably assembled therein.

One of the problems always with manufacture is to reduce the cost and still retain a reasonable quality of performance and of ruggedness. This problem continues in the construction of binders, and has resulted in much elort and many dilerent proposals for its solution.

Reduction in cost can be attained only by (1) a reduction in metal needed, (2) a reduction in the number of pieces and number of forming and fabricating operations, and (3) a simplifying of the assembly.

The present invention utilizes all three of the above means and provides a binder that is rugged and yet very low in cost.

The invention also provides a construction that lends itself to the making of various size binders without the requirement of different dies and equipment.

The binder is permanently locked, as compared to the usual spring locked ring binders, and is not apt to open accidentally, losing the sheets, as so often happens with ring binders.

In carrying out the invention, only two sheet metal stampings are necessary, plus the desired number of ring posts, a hinge pin and suitable assembly and mounting rivets. If desired, a spring may be employed to bias the posts to closed position.

The inventionis best illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawing of an embodiment showing the best mode presently contemplated for constructing the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of an open binder with the ring posts closed as when binding sheets of paper and with parts broken away and sectioned to show the binder construction;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the open binder showing the metal parts and with the covers broken away;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section of a modication of the invention.

The binder has the usual covers 1 and 2 hinged by folds to the back 3.

The mechanism for binding sheets is constructed of metal and comprises a base plate 4 extending coextensive with back 3 and suitably secured thereto by rivets 5.

One longitudinal edge of plate 4 is folded to form a hinge portion 6 for receiving a pivot pin 7.

A locking member in the form of a at sheet metal strip 8 is disposed beneath the free edge of plate 4 and in a recess 9 in back 3, and is loosely secured to plate 4 by means of shouldered rivets 10 passing through slots 11 in strip 8 to provide for limited longitudinal movement of the strip between lock and unlock positions thereof.

2,878,816 Patented Mar. 24, 1959 ice 1 illustrate that each post is notched at the end or provided with a hole to receive thepin 7 and the latter is then secured in the notch as by welding. jA suitabley recess 13 is cut in the hinge member 6 for receiving each,

ring post.

The ring posts 12 are of inverted U-shape, and the free end of each post is adapted to pass downwardly through a corresponding opening 14 in the free edge portion of plate 4 and into a recess 15 in the back 3.

A notch 16 on the inner side of the free end of each post 12 is disposed to receive the edge of strip 8 when the latter is moved to lock position, to thereby secure the ring closed.

To release the rings, the strip 8 is pulled longitudinally by the upstanding end 17 to the unlock position in which each recess 18 in the edge of the strip registers with the corresponding ring post 12 and the posts are free to be pivoted upwardly on the pivot axis of pin 7 to thereby release paper from the binder and provide for insertion of additional sheets.

When it is desired to close the binder, the ring posts 12 are pivoted to closed position and strip 8 is pushed to lock position by manually pushing on end 17. The openings 14 confine the ends of the corresponding posts against forces exerted by the locking movement of the strip 8 and prevent release of the posts except when strip 8 is moved to release position.

The modification shown in Figure 5 shows one edge of the base 19 folded beneath itself to space the base from the back 20, the fold providing the hinge member 21. The sheet metal locking strip 8 is disposed in the space between the base and the back.

The construction of the binder is simple and requires only a very few manufacturing operations. The plate V4 is first punched for receiving rivets 5 and 10 to provide openings 14 and then folded over pin 7. The ring posts are formed from wire and then have the notches or holes for receiving pin 7 and the notches 16 provided therein. The ring posts 12 are then assembled by positioning the same and inserting pin 7 into the notches or holes therefor, after which the welding of each ring to the pin is completed. The strip 8 is punched to provide the slots 11 and recesses 18 and then assembled with plate 4 and the rivets 10 are formed at the upper end to secure the assembly. J

The manufacturing operations are all simple and of a type readily performed in mass production.

Various embodiments of the invention may be employed within the scope of the accompanying claim which particularly points out and distinctly sets forth the subject matter regarded as the invention.

I claim:

A loose-leaf binder comprising a cover having a back, a sheet metal base substantially coextensive with said back, means to rigidly secure said base to said back, one edge of said base being folded beneath itself and extending beneath the base to support and space the latter from said back, the inner surfaces of said fold forming a hinge member along said base edge, the opposite edge cach p'os't to said pin whereby the posts are secured together for common pivotal movement, a sheet metal locking strip disposed in the space between said base and said back and having means at one end thereof to facilitate manual actuation thereof for movement only longitudinally of said base, means fastening saidlocking strip to said base and limiting the longitudinal movement of the strip in opposite directions to provide for a lock'position and a release position therefor, and a notch on the inside surface of the free end of each said post and disposed to receive an edge portion of said lock strip beneathsaid base when said lock strip is moved to lock position, said lock strip having recesses in its locking t 4 edge for register with corresponding posts when said strip is moved to release position, and said base having openings therein to receive and confine the free ends of corresponding posts against locking forces of said strip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS STS: 

